Pressure Them

The debut album from Poor Man’s Friend Records We at Poor Man’s Friend Records are proud to present our first full-length release: Icho Candy & Friends – Pressure Them. This project is deeply personal for us. As longtime listeners and collectors, we've always felt that Icho Candy’s immense talent has been overlooked in the broader narrative of reggae music. Icho first emerged under the guidance of legendary producer and soundman Jack Ruby, but it was his haunting rendition of Cat Stevens' “Where Do the Children Play?”—featured in a BBC documentary—that introduced his voice to the world beyond Jamaica. Equal parts soulful and haunting, Icho’s voice echoes the spirit of a bygone era, reminding us of the roots and depth of classic Jamaican music. A mysterious figure from reggae’s golden era, Icho Candy has always stood apart. A devout Rastafarian with a gift for prophetic songwriting, he joins forces here with some of his closest musical allies. Prince Alla appears on the title track “Pressure Them” and contributes two solo performances, while the legendary Viceroys collaborate on “Pave the Way” and “King of Kings.” This album is a tribute to Icho Candy’s legacy. He and Prince Alla first recorded together in 1976, and Pressure Them seeks to fill a long-standing gap in Icho’s discography. Although he was active throughout the mid-to-late 1970s, many of his recordings were never fully released, lost to time in the archives of Jamaica’s most iconic studios. Icho’s breakout moment came with the release of “Captain Selassie,” a track that has become a defining anthem of Rastafari in dancehall. Over the years, he recorded for labels such as Jah Life, Rockers International, Tesfa, and Jah Shaka, among others. Like many great artists of the era, Icho spent time touring and recording in the U.S., sharing stages with Sugar Minott, Nicodemus, Nitty Gritty, and King Kong, before returning to Jamaica to record two stunning albums for the late, great Jah Shaka. Pressure Them is more than just an album—it’s a restoration and a celebration of one of reggae’s most powerful yet under-recognized voices. Credits Winston Evans - Vocals - 1,3,4,5,6,8,9 Keith Blake - Vocals - 2,6,7 Joe O'connell - Bass, Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Organ and Melodica Kerris McDonald - Drums - 1,3,5,6,7,8,9 Piers Tamplin - Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Percussion Martin Melody - BV's - 3,5,7 Lunda Dimbelolo - BV's - 7 Michael Gabbidon - BV's - 4,9 Andrew Coombes - BV's - 4,9 Stephen Blagford - Nyahbinghi Drum Sections Leroy Horns - 4,6,9 Recorded, Produced and Mixed by Jed O'connell at The Poor Man's Friend Studio in Bristol, UK Executive/additional production - Rider Shafique Mastered by Beau Thomas (Teneightsevenmastering) Cover Artwork By Jodi Hunt Photography by Jed O'connell